Beyond the Great Walks: nine very good alternatives

New Zealand If You Miss Out on Great Walks, Try These Very Good Walks

North Island

Holdsworth-Jumbo Circuit, Tararua Forest Park, Wairarapa

The Tararua ranges are famed and feared, delightful and daunting, their wicked weather notorious. But while the Tararuas must be respected, there are plenty of good options for beginners, the Holdsworth-Jumbo circuit probably the most accessible. It's a well-graded, albeit steep (but there's stairs, which compared to many of the other scrambles is a god-send) climb to Powell Hut. This Hut is flash, much flasher than the old one which was held down by wires in a very windy environment.

From Powell Hut, saunter through the tussocks and take in views that extend coast-to-coast to Jumbo Hut, before dropping down into the bush, the famous, twisted goblin forest, and to a nice refreshing river down below. Return to the Holdsworth Campsite, where you started, then onto Masterton.

Tarawera Trail, Rotorua

"BYO spade for a restorative hot pool experience at the end of walking the Tarawera Track."

This trail is a powerful example of how humbling hiking can be. It's a spectacular meander along the shores of the deep, dark, delightful Lake Tarawera, looking across to the towering mountain of the same name, still scorched and scarred from the eruption that devastated this area in 1886.

Walk across the old lava flows through vivid, dense regenerated bush, cross streams that bubble from natural springs, along a trail walked by Te Arawa tupuna for centuries.

The best part comes at the end of the trail, about five hours from the carpark, when you reach a beach and campsite with its own bubbling hot pools. BYO tent and BYO spade, return the same way.

Pouakai Circuit, Taranaki

"Don't be so taken by the views on the Pouakai Circuit that you stumble into a swamp."

Start by punishing your lungs in a steep climb called The Puffer, before tracing a path along the dramatic face of the mountain, its diverse mosses, its deep gashes, historic lava flows, and dramatic colours and contours that only reveal themselves when you come face to face.

Cross the kidneys of Taranaki — the Ahukawakawa Swamp, tranquil and dramatic in equal measure — before enjoying views that extend hundreds of kilometres north and west, New Plymouth just a speck below. Then drop into the dense native bush, the towering trees, the deep bouldered river gorges, wrapping up a nice loop.

Cape Brett Hut, Bay of Islands

"Golden hour after a hike to Cape Brett Hut and Cape Brett lighthouse at the end of the Rawhiti Russell peninsula."

This two-day walk in the Bay of Islands is a unique tramping adventure traversing 16 km of rugged coastal terrain out to the end of the peninsula to the red-roofed, weatherboard Cape Brett Hut, formerly the lighthouse keeper's hut.

It's a very special place, teeming with wildlife, and one of the few huts with a sweeping ocean view at the dining table. This tramp is best for experienced walkers or those who are fit and up for a challenge, as the track is exposed in some places. Trampers are currently advised to take their own water as the tank water at the hut is too salty for drinking.

South Island

St James Walkway, Canterbury

If you love mountains, but hate inclines, then this is the track for you. It's pretty much flat, and you can pretty much walk it with your eyes closed. But why would you, the vista that surrounds you is breathtaking.

It's long, but easy, if you plan well enough and take advantage of the long southern days, it can be done in four days. It has tall beech forest, straightforward passes, majestic mountains, alpine scrub, fields and fields of tussock, wide rivers, and historic huts. A great intro.

Copland Track, West Coast

"The Copland Track offers a taste of the deep West Coast native forest."

The Te Arawa in me seems to be drawn to hot pools, and this one delivers. It's a tantalising taster of the deep, haunting, West Coast forest, its mossy twisted trees, always seemingly cloaked in fog, as you follow a roaring creek up into a narrowing valley, climbing gradually into the lower reaches of the Southern Alps. It's an introduction to mountaineering in the great spine of Te Wai Pounamu.

From the large, cosy hut, the hot pools are just a short stroll away, with fine views of the mountain range that surrounds you. Let the kea squawk above as you recline back and soak those weary legs. Return the same way, but it's a wholly different view.

Travers-Sabine Circuit, Nelson Lakes National Park

"The Travers-Sabine circuit in Nelson Lakes has something for every tramping taste."

This one takes about five days, so it's for the keen and fit. You walk (or boat) up the side of Lake Rotoiti which is really easy and absolutely beautiful. Then up the Travers Valley through beech forest with the most astonishing green moss.

Then up into the alpine zone over a mountain pass (kea!) and down into the Sabine Valley to Lake Rotoroa and out by walking up over to the Mount Robert carpark.

Rees-Dart Track, Mt Aspiring National Park

"The Rees-Dart track is not for the faint-hearted (or the kea-averse)."

Situated 68 km out of Queenstown, via Glenorchy, this trail boasts mountainous scenery that rivals that seen on the busy Routeburn. It has it all; sweeping valleys, forest and alpine vegetation, and glacier-fed rivers, but trampers be warned — it's not for the faint-hearted.

This is an advanced track in Mount Aspiring National Park, tracking 63 km over four to five days. It's highly recommended to build in an extra day to do a day trip from Dart Hut to Dart Glacier and back to Dart Hut. Here you can get close to Cascade Saddle with sweeping views down the Matukituki River. This tramp is best for experienced walkers, given it's a week-long tramp through alpine terrain.

Queen Charlotte Track, Marlborough Sounds

"Queen Charlotte Track is a 73km route that can be done on foot or by bike."

This is a beautiful journey in the Marlborough Sounds that can be done on foot or by bike. The 73 km track is well-marked and can take anywhere between three and five days, depending on how fast you want to go. It is worth taking your time though, as you're never too far from a scenic lookout or sandy bay in this lush landscape.

Think of it as an active, walking holiday that would suit anyone or group with intermediate experience. It's also one of the few tramps that has restaurants located along the trail and a bag transport service for those that want it to be that little bit more relaxing.